LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY (PIA5/Albay)---The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bicol launched the 2023 Fire Prevention  month thru its kick off ceremony in Legazpi City on Thursday, March 2 by way of unity walk, fun bike, fire awareness program and the first fire square roadshow with government agencies and students from selected schools. 

According to Director for Intelligence and Investigation BFP National Headquarters Chief Superintendent Gilbert D. Dolot, the said program aims to give awareness on fire prevention through the help of local government agencies and different sectors.  

"So I hope with the partnership that we establish with the government agencies here, we can address the fire problem that the community encounters," said CSupt Dolot. 

Dolot said that every year there are 13,000 fire incidents amounting of Php 4.7 billion fire damages in the country.

''With our teamwork, fire incidents and its corresponding damages can be prevented. Through our cooperation and partnership, we can gain positive results,'' he added.

Fire square roadshow for students

On the sidelines of the kick off ceremony was the launching of the first fire square road show in Bicol, introduced by the BFP Regional Chief of Staff Senior Superintendent Jose B. Callos Jr.

The program's goal, according to SSupt. Callos Jr., is to engage the students  and instill in them the importance of basic safety practices and fire drills.

"When a teacher discusses a lesson in front, usually kids do not give their full attention, so the lesson is noy retained in their mind. In this road show we (BFP) we will  teach them a lesson that will surely retain in their minds by letting them experience it on-hand," he added.

SSupt. Callos also noted the importance of teaching the younger generations fire prevention measures as some fire-related cases involve children and young adults. 

The activity intends to give the audience insights on what to do in a fire situation in fun way by using the guides on the fire ladder.

Fire ladder can be compared to a snake and ladder board game, but this time all the boxes or tiles represent the steps on how to save lives, fire prevention ways and basic first aid measures. 

During the program, four students were given the "fire ladder board game" as an award to their exemplary dance performance with the BFP Oragons.

According to the student of Legazpi Port Elementary School, Dominic L. Anda, he was happy to receive the said board game as a gift from the BFP. 

"I am happy because I received the prize and I won. It looks a bit like the snake and ladder board game but there are fire safety guides embedded in it," Anda said in an interview.

He also expressed his enjoyment over the said activity and he plans to participate again on BFP programs in the future.

Anda admitted that the lessons in the roadshow about fire prevention were retained in his mind due to its hands-on demonstrations.

BFP programs for fire prevention

BFP5 Regional Director CSupt. Ricardo C. Perdigon, in a message read by Dolot,  stressed that that excessive use of appliances tends to cause fire.

With more than half of the fire involving residential properties, the BFPimplemented community empowerment programs and partnerships through the bayanihan concept and Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan which require BFP's house-to-house surveys.

"Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan was designed to involve the community in preparation of the fire protection plan. We make plans with them by doing it while working together," he said.

Dolot said that working with their partner agencies for fire prevention plans was more effective because of familiarity in their community.

Through local agencies CSupt. Dolot was hoping for simultaneous practice, training and implementation of the fire prevention plans that they provided.

He also encouraged the young and adult generations to take part in  ‘Mga Bayani sa Barangay,’  a social media account where everyone can send reports about possible fire hazards in the community. 

‘’The firefighters will ensure that they will work hard for the safety of the public but they need their help and involvement since fire prevention is only effective if there is cooperation,’’ CSupt. Perdigon said. (With the reports from Judith Valenzuela, BU intern-PIA5/Albay)

Cover photo courtesy of: Cyryl L. Montales